Ethics and Values in Commission Work
I don’t get a whole lot of commission work. I guess I find it frustrating on a certain level because commissioned work involves trying to please someone else with your art, but every now and then I do. I usually only accept it if it is design work as opposed to a painting or portrait.
Now in life everything intertwines, and art is only an element of the tapestry that life is. This makes some commission work hard. Let me give you a scenario to illustrate this:
These are my personal views:
I am a Christian. This means I have certain values which do not coincide with certain views of others. I know that and I recognize it. I am pro-life, believe that homosexuality is a sin, I honor my body as the temple of Christ living in me through abstaining from alcohol and addictive drugs (besides caffeine…lol). I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died and rose again on the third day to pay the price for my own redemption from sin. I believe that only through Jesus Christ is this redemption possible. I believe in the validity of scripture and that God’s word endures as an authentic, reliable testimony of God working through the ages. I live my life in this manner.
I will not debate any of this in comments either by the way and I’ll expect the same kind of tolerance that others expect of me. I’m not here to argue any of that. In fact, I’ll mark you as spam or delete it if you try to…lol.
But here’s where the discussion turns. If someone asks me to do a design for something that is overtly opinionated and promoting of values or views that are contrary to my own, I have a hard time putting the same kind of passion into such a thing as I would with something that was inline or completely unrelated, especially since it is so against my own belief structure.
But when it is commission work, should a person lay these personal values down in order to please a customer? (fell free to comment on this question)
I recently decided to take on a logo design project without reading the blog it was for first. After I agreed, I went and looked at it only to find that it had a contrary message to what I believed. I knew that if I did the logo, many years down the road I may very well find it and be frustrated with my participation in it. Luckily, the guy backed out.
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POSTED IN: Brain Shavings
4 opinions for Ethics and Values in Commission Work
Cyndi L
May 8, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Lay down personal values in order to please a customer? Not in this lifetime! That person is just simply not my customer, no matter how badly I might want the job or the money LOL!
Angela
May 8, 2007 at 2:11 pm
As a Christian who could basically copy your statement of beliefs word for word, and a fellow artist, I can relate to your dilemma, though I have not really had to be in that situation - yet.
I only take commission work if it is something I am interested in - it’s not going to be good work if it doesn’t align with my passions.
I think the decision really has to be based on the art’s role. I would do a commission for a homose*ual but I would not create art glorifying homose*uality. However, when I was working as a graphic artist, I did have to create promotional material for strippers. I decided in that situation that I would be a better witness of God’s love by treating them with respect than by condemning them and their lifestyle. I don’t know if that was the right call - it was the decision I made at the time and I still feel pretty good about it.
So many people fear to criticize any art because in our morally ambiguous culture, all points of view are valid. I disagree. I’ve discussed this on my blog at http://angelafehr.blogspot.com/2006/10/my-blog-on-creativity-launch.html
This is the first post I’ve read on your blog - I’m going to go back and read more.
Angela
Dan
May 9, 2007 at 7:45 am
This problem, I feel, is bigger than most would believe at first glance. It isn’t just ‘commissioned work’. You can find yourself facing these issues in any field of work (I’m a software developer and musician on the side).
I find it curious you tired religion to this thorny problem as I’m an atheist. I realize you are only giving a contextual motivation which others can identify more personally. However, I believe morality is a quality orthogonal to religion. To me, this topic is more about following your moral compass. But I wander from the topic…
In the end, I think you have to ask yourself a demanding question.. “Am a ‘hired’ gun?” Do I work for just the paycheck or am I working primarily to be happy with my contributions? Once that topic is explored for yourself, I feel you’ll find these issues of ethics will become more decisive for you. You will have an emotional and logical framework to base your decisions for future situations. It will never be so black and white but hopefully will be easier. :)
I dare say you seem to value your contributions more than the paycheck; in which case, I think you would be better served following your heart — do work more aligned with your beliefs and morals; however, I think you may want to ask more detailed questions before agreeing to do work in the future to prevent this type of situation.
And I just wanted to comment on Angela experience… Good for you (Angela). It is hard to face and even explore the topic of something distasteful to you. I really believe this is a means of growth not taken enough in today’s society (hence the misunderstanding and intolerance). Doesn’t it feel better to say ‘no’ or ‘I don’t like’ once you’ve really educated yourself on a topic because in the exploration I believe you’ve heard and listened to your inner voice. “To Thine Self Be True” :)
William Lehman
May 9, 2007 at 10:59 am
Thanks for your input there Dan. The reason I tie religion to this problem for myself is that I am also a pastor. For me, there is possibly more at stake than just my values on some fronts too.
I agree on the “avoiding this type of situation in the future” and asking more questions. I guess I am just now getting to the point where I wouldn’t mind pulling in some more commission work every now and then and realizing some issues that have come up.
I do work more for the joy of the process and the contributions that I make. That’s a good way of putting it.
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